Device for application to the openings of outlet boxes and the like



Kpril 10, 1928. i,665,484

R. D. THOMPSON DEVICE FOR APPLICATION TO THE OPENINGS CF OUTLET BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 19, 1925 mm RALPH D.THOMPSON Fig.5. Fig.6. viiwaw Mam M 41.

Patented Apr. '10, 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH D. TI-IQMPSON, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR APPLICATION T THE OPENINGS OF OUTLET BQXES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 19. 1923. Serial No. 669,482.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, efficient and economical device for holding the loom or casing of an electric conductor from movement in either direction in the opening of an out.-

lot or other box.

The invention is embodied in the example herein shown and described, the ieatures of novelty being finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. 1 is a front view of the device.

Fig. 2 is an edge view.

3 is a top plan View of the device as it appears in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates the device as it appears holding the loom in the wall of a box such being in section.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in front and edge views respectively a hole closing device equipped with the tongues of my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 of the views the character 7 designates a fraction of an outlet or junction box. The wall of such boxes are now usually provided at suitable points with circular openings 8 closed with slenderl v held knock out pieces filling them. These knock out pieces are removed to ad- 'mit the loom containing the conductor. Ottentiines the wrong ones are knocked out. These should he reclosed.

The character 9 designates the loom or casing for the wire constituting the electrical conductor. It is required by the insurance underwriters, in the interest of safety that such. loom be held from displacement. My present device, as shown in said view-s of the drawing. for effecting this purpose consists of a piece of sheet metal stamped or cut generally into U-torm and provided with a rigid tongue 10 offset from the body of the device to hook over the edge of the wall ofv the opening 8 at one point of the circle of the opening and with the two spring tongues 11 and 11 to engage two other points of the edge of the wall of said opening. At the bottom of the crotch betweenv the legs hearing the springtongues are formed one or more spurs 12 to engage the loom 9. To secure a loom and the device in place the device is first engaged with the loom by shoving it into the loom with the spurs 12 penetrating the same, then slightly tilting the device while thus on the loom so that the tongue 10 can be passed over the edge of the opening after which thetwo legs 5 bearing the spring tongues are pressed inward through the opening until their hook portions are engaged with the edge of the opening. The operation is very simple and easy and can be effected with the fingers alone and without the use of any tool, the fixed tongue when located in the opening form-.

ing a fulcrum permitting the application of pressure to the upper part of the holder to engage the spring tongues.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the body portion consists of a disk adapted when applied to close an opening like 8. said disk having a rigid or fixed tongue 10 and spring tongues 11 and 11. This device is applied by placing the rigid hook in position as before and then pressing the upper portion until the spring tongues engage the edge forming the opening at the points where they enter.

The forms of the parts can be changed T without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

A device for application to the opening of an outlet box or the like consisting of a crotched flat sheet metal member, means therein to engage a loom, said crotched'member provided at one point of its margin with a rigid tongue integral therewith to lockingly engage the edge of said box opening at one point, and a spring tongue also integral with the flat sheet metal member to engage the edge of said opening at another point, said rigid tongue first engaging the edge of the opening as a fulcrum whereby said spring tongue may be pressed into lockingengagement with the edge of the opening to cooperate with the rigid tongue to retain said 'crotched member in said opening.

RALPH D. THOMPSON. 

